IN the immediate aftermath of their last visit to Rugby Park back in October, anyone laying bets on Celtic going on to win this year's Clydesdale Bank Premier League would likely not have found many takers.

The odds on them not only doing so but also achieving it at the same venue six months on would surely have been astronomical.

Funny how things turn out. The jubilant scenes that will greet the Celtic players when they squeeze out the narrow tunnel at Rugby Park tomorrow – with their fans spread over three-quarters of the stadium – will stand in stark contrast to the first 70 minutes or so of their previous visit. Back then Celtic, smarting from a defeat by Hearts in their previous fixture and chasing a Rangers side that had just racked up nine consecutive league victories, found themselves three goals down and seemingly heading for their worst defeat since Tony Mowbray's side conceded four to St Mirren 19 months earlier.

That result cost Mowbray his job and, for a while, it looked as if Neil Lennon was on course to suffer a similar fate. Instead, Celtic, somehow, turned the match around, scoring three times to scramble to a 3-3 draw. Lennon kept his job and his team, barring one or two hiccups, has barely looked back since, embarking on a lengthy unbeaten run that has carried them to the brink of a first league championship in four seasons. Another draw at Rugby Park will make it official and, should they make it over the line, they may look back on their previous visit to this part of Ayrshire as one of the most pivotal moments of their success. Adam Matthews agrees.

"It was a massive turning point and we have not looked back since then," said the defender. "I think that was the game that started us on the great run we went on. So I think we will look back on that game as a major turning point.

"Everyone was down in the changing room [at half-time] when we were 3-0 down. But it is to the great credit of the gaffer that he gave a great team talk and got us motivated for the second half. I think that showed in our performance. I thought we were unlucky to only draw in the end."

It is hard to imagine Celtic now without Lennon at the helm but the Northern Irishman subsequently admitted he wondered if his time would be up if Kilmarnock had gone on to complete the emphatic victory they were threatening that day. "I've heard him say that, but thankfully he didn't," added a relieved Matthews. "I wouldn't say we thought he was going to chuck it then, but you could tell he was down. We weren't on the best of runs anyway, but we showed second half that we were all playing for him and respected him.

"I think it's been shown the players are playing for him this season since that day. We have gone on a great run and are deservedly top of the league."

Kilmarnock are getting an unfortunate reputation as the most welcoming of party hosts. It was at their place last season that Rangers wrapped up the title and now Celtic have the chance to do likewise tomorrow lunchtime. After two frustrating weekends when results didn't fall for them, Matthews hopes it is third time lucky for his side.

"Our main is goal to get this wrapped up as soon as possible and concentrate on the other games in hand, where we might feel a bit less pressure. Hopefully, we can do it on Saturday," he said. "An early goal would definitely relax us but that's the same in any game. Obviously, if that happens it would be great but we know Kilmarnock will be tough opposition. Every time we have played them this season, they have given us a good game. We know it's not going to be easy but we are fairly confident we can win."

Celtic found out just how dangerous Kilmarnock can be a few weeks back in the Scottish Communities League Cup final. Kenny Shiels and his players were given little chance of denying Celtic what was expected to be the first part of his treble but instead delivered one of the biggest cup upsets in recent years. "This is a great opportunity to get a bit of revenge and three points," admitted Matthews. "We owe it to the fans more than anything. We had great support that day but let them down a bit in the way we played. Winning titles was one of the main reasons I came to Celtic. If I could do it in my first year that would be brilliant."

n Matthews was helping promote ESPN's exclusive live coverage of Saturday's match at Rugby Park. Coverage starts at 11.15am.